ACT 235 Evidence Collection 5

Question 1

Under Pennsylvania law and Act 235 standards, who has primary authority over a crime scene where both uniformed police and a lethal weapons agent respond?

Accepted Answer

The ranking law enforcement officer or lead investigator assigned to the case

Answer

Scene authority belongs to the ranking law enforcement officer or assigned lead investigator; Act 235 agents operate in a supportive role under that authority.

Question 2

What is the significance of the term 'corpus delicti' evidence in Act 235 training?

Accepted Answer

Physical evidence proving that a crime actually occurred

Answer

Corpus delicti means 'body of the crime' — physical evidence that establishes a crime actually occurred, as opposed to witness statements alone.

Question 3

An Act 235 agent responding to an incident discovers evidence that points to a crime outside their jurisdiction. What is the correct action?

Accepted Answer

Notify the appropriate jurisdiction and preserve the scene until they arrive

Answer

When evidence suggests an out-of-jurisdiction crime, the agent must preserve the scene and notify the appropriate jurisdiction with authority to handle it.

Question 4

Which of the following is a valid reason to re-enter a secured crime scene after initial evidence collection is complete?

Accepted Answer

To collect a previously overlooked item of evidence with proper documentation of the re-entry

Answer

Re-entry is permitted to collect overlooked evidence but must be documented, including who re-entered, when, and what was collected or observed.

Question 5

During evidence collection, an Act 235 agent finds a controlled substance. What must they do to properly handle this item?

Accepted Answer

Follow established protocols for drug evidence, including field testing only if trained and authorized

Answer

Controlled substances must be handled according to established evidence protocols; field testing should only be conducted by trained and authorized personnel to avoid reagent hazards.

ACT Practice Test

ACT Practice Test

ACT 235 Evidence Collection 5